The Blessings of the Lord!

1 Chronicles 29:11a - My sons, do not now be negligent for the Lord has chosen YOU to stand in His presence to serve Him...

Proverbs 10:22 - The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich & He adds no sorrow with it. 

Your Father loves you! The fullness of my thoughts this morning are how much the Lord loves and wants to bless His children. Proverbs 10:22 is a frequently confessed verse in our house. The BLESSING of the Lord, IT makes rich and HE adds no sorrow with it. Sorrow is also defined in the Hebrew as "painful toil." The BLESSING makes rich! Rich in good health. Rich in finances. Rich in relationships. The BLESSING makes rich. On the back end of the blessing does not include sorrow or grief, does not include bad news. The BLESSING of the Lord is just that, it is a true blessing!

A prerequisite? Stand in His presence to serve Him! Yesterday in Proverbs 25 verse 12, the King James Version talked about an "obedient ear." In the Amplified Version, it referred to that obedient ear as, "an ear that listens and obeys."

Standing in HIS presence to serve Him. To listen to His voice. To obey. Acknowledging Him in all of our ways (Prov. 16). Like any parent, God's desire is to bless us! I can relate so much more to God now that I am a parent. Knowing how much I want to bless my children. Provide for them, do fun things with them & for them. Take them on trips. Make their rooms cool & unique. So much I have in my mind that I'd love to do for my children...and as they listen and obey, it makes me want to bring those things to reality even more!

GOD WANTS TO BLESS YOU! God's heart is bent towards wanting to bless, just like ours. We were made in HIS image. Just like we want to bless our children, HE wants to bless you!

Today... find a way to serve. Find a way to acknowledge God in each decision. Find a way to bless others. Find a way to bless God. Maybe it's just taking an extra 10 minutes... finding a quiet place over lunch and acknowledging Him, worshipping Him, thanking Him for all the blessings in your life. He desires to do more! On earth as it is in heaven! He desires for you to live on earth as you will in heaven!  To live in the blessing!

Acknowledge Him today! HE LOVES YOU! The blessings He has in store for you are GREAT!

 

#239 - Look What I Can Do!

Proverbs 25:27 - It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. (KJV)

Proverbs 25:13 - Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters. 

Proverbs 31:28 - Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (AMP)   

Tyler Junior went last week to a "Mother's Morning Out" program for a few hours. When we returned home, he had a craft that we hung on the fridge. I'm still not quite sure what it is. It's a paper plate with the center cut out and streamers hanging off the bottom. It did have some "sequence" glued to it (those are long gone!) For the last week, and still, he walks by the fridge and says, "Yook Mommy! Yook!" He smiles real big with great pleasure as he shows me the craft that HE made! It is so cute to see him proud of himself. 


Thinking about this reminded me of the verse in 1 Corinthians 13:11,  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Tyler Junior is a child. At this age, it's cute to see him "show-off" something he's done or made. He's looking for that affirmation & praise. At some point, according to 1 Corinthians 13:11, we must put away childish things. The desire to be praised surely may still be there. Everyone likes to be affirmed and praised, but as it says in Proverbs 25:27, to search for our own glory is not glory. 


I checked what the original Hebrew said about Proverbs 25:27. It referred to glory as: glory, honour, abundance, reputation, dignity, riches. To search, boast or build up our own "reputation" by showing off what we have done, in the end does not end up being "glory" at all. I reflected on Proverbs 25:13, how the messenger was refreshing to his masters. Like he was a breath or fresh air. I watch Tyler with his job and with his boss. I notice how he takes recommendations and immediately begins to apply them, how he engages himself, how he really seeks to be excellent. I can only imagine, that to his boss, this is refreshing behavior.  


Let us allow our deeds to be refreshing. Allow our accomplishments to speak for us. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband praises her. 


Who's praise? Is it praise prompted by you? If you remember back in the day, on MadTV a man named Stuart. He was an adult that had the mind of a child. He jumped around saying, "Look what I can do! Look what I can do!" Who's prompting your praise? Are you saying, "Look what I can do?" Are you searching out your own praise or is the praise you receive prompted by your refreshing accomplishments? Your consistency? Keeping the house clean? Keeping the laundry up? Creating an environment of peace? Being consistent making your sales calls? Being consistent in the Word? Being excellent on your job? Are your actions prompting praise from others or is your verbal acknowledgement saying, "Look what I can do!"?

#238 - A Billboard Kind of Vision

Proverbs 19:21 - Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

Proverbs 16:9 - A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 - And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. ³For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. 

Proverbs 31:16 - She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. 

Do you have billboard kind of vision? What's your vision like? Have you driven by a billboard and ever thought, "Did they really expect me to 'get that?'"  There are so many words that as you rush by at 60 miles an hour, you may get a few of the biggest words, but that's it. Then, there are others that you drive by and they just jump out at you! It may be accompanied by a picture that draws you in to it's purpose. It may be something that tugs at your heart and you can't help but want to support the cause.

Billboard kind of vision. It starts off with having a plan. We have to have a plan. In both Proverbs 19 & 16, it talks about the MAN'S mind. It talks about the MAN having a plan. The MAN has taken time to come up with a plan. It takes time, thought, energy & FAITH to determine a plan. Then our faith shows even more when we begin to ACT on the plan. It's exciting to know that we can bounce our plan, our idea of the one who created us. HE will direct our steps. HE will direct our idea. In the end, it will HIS purpose will stand. I know a man who was given the idea to write a book. He was given the idea, the title, even what the cover was suppose to look like. After much time of not writing the book, he opened up a magazine one day and SAW that very book that he was suppose to write. It was IN PRINT! Someone else had written the book that the Holy Spirit had given him to write. The Lords purpose was for the book to come out, and the book came out.

Write the vision plainly. Do you have a Billboard kind of vision? Can you read & understand it easily & quickly when you pass by it? Do you have a sign up stating your vision? Have you written it down? Does it read, "I'm going to watch what I eat & exercise and will weigh 125 pounds by June 1st, 2012." Or is it big and bold, "125 BY JUNE 1!!!" Is your vision PLAIN & EASY to read as you pass by?

A business associate of mine told me a quote that he had heard over the weekend. It went something like this. "Below average people don't have any goals. Average people have too many goals that they can't accomplish them all. Those above average have only a few goals that they are laser focused in achieving." Which one are you? Do you have so many goals that you can't even sift through them to know what they all are? Are there things getting in the way of your goals? Like the Proverbs 31 woman, she has expanded prudently. First things first. She studies and thinks about, will taking on this "project" prohibit me from accomplishing what I need to accomplish?

It starts with a plan.

Take your plan, in prayer, run it by the Holy Spirit.

Create a VISION that is only a few words! Write it. Post it. Say it. Know it. 


Act. Act. Act. Act. - GO and make your vision a reality!

 

#237 - Strength

Good morning!  Things are getting back to normal here at the McCart home. Not "normal" quite yet.... but we're at least moving in the right direction! Due to "lack of time" this morning, I wasn't going to begin back or post anything today... but I figured I would share my short revelation and for me this morning, it was a bit of a kick in the pants. Like I shared with Alison yesterday... I do look forward to fully getting back in the groove of regular posts!

Proverbs 31:17 - She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.

Strength. Quite an interesting word. Our Proverbs 31 friend girds herself with strength. Due to where life is for me right now and all of the life changes over the last 3 months (2 surgeries, adjusting to having another child, building a house, moving, family vacation, Christmas vacation, etc)... I am still excited to get back to habits that were very regular before "life" happened. As I look at the word "strength," while reading about the Proverbs 31 woman, it takes on a bit of a different meaning to me today than maybe it would have 6 months ago. I began to think about my "excuses" for not having gotten back into my regular writing schedule. I began to think about what draws from "strength" and why routines maybe have been hindered. Why maybe my alarm may go off at the "right time" in the morning... but this morning for example, every FIVE minutes for an HOUR & 45 MINUTES my alarm rang! Snooze. Snooze. Snooze. Snooze again.

So... what is my deal? I decided to read again Proverbs 31. Surely I've read it 100's of times before. But just like the Holy Spirit does, He has a way of pointing out just what you need to hear today. Just want you need to read or adjust in life today. A tweak to turn you back onto the course you should be heading. Have you heard if a pilot is traveling to a destination and according to his instruments is only a 1/2 of a degree off in the direction he's traveling, he'll NEVER get to where he wants to go. That 1/2 of a degree could potentially take him 100's of miles off course. The Holy Spirit is tweaking my 1/2 of a degree. He's getting me back on course.

Strength. What are some things that could "take away" from strength. Here are some things that were obvious things in my life, although the list is much more extensive than just these three items.

1. Proper Eating. Sure, it's a new year. For a lot of people "proper eating" usually goes out the window over the holidays. I think is OK for a time. It's OK to splurge and enjoy yourself... but at some point, things have to get back to a normal standard of eating healthy. With the move, our closing date was pushed back 4 different times.... though I continued to pack with much of our kitchen items in boxes in the garage as we prepared to move into our new house. The more that got packed, the less options I had in food prep. Guess what that meant for the McCarts? A regular diet of pizza! Every week... maybe a couple times/week. It was easy, and less of a hassle. But again... at some point, a regular standard of a healthy diet has to come back! Now is that time!
2. Proper Supplementation. I think we are fooling ourselves if we think we can avoid supplementing with vitamins. Most people, probably 99%+ of the population, don't eat the recommended amounts of food for our dietary needs. Even if we TRIED, we wouldn't get everything we need. From the time an orange comes off of the tree, the amount of Vitamin C diminishes DAILY, when it's not attached to the source of growth (the tree.) Knowing that, when we buy an orange in the grocery store (since most of us don't have an orange tree in our back yard), how long has that orange been off the tree?? Weeks? Maybe a month? This makes proper supplementation essential. I've been majorly dropping the ball in this area. My standard has been an all-natural company. I toured one of their farms once. It was amazing. From the time a plant is harvested to go into a supplement, it only takes ONE hour for that cherry, orange, apple, etc to begin the process of getting into supplement form. ONE HOUR!!! To me, this means I am getting the MAXIMUM amount of vitamin into my system when I take the supplement! And since I'm not a farmer, farming my own food, I get MORE of the good stuff than I would if I actually ate it! Anyways... their quality assurance is pretty amazing too. From Seed to Supplement, before it gets to my front door, it's checked 500 times to ensure quality. I was amazed at their standards of excellence! So... for me... in reference to the Proverbs 31 woman, I need to re-discipline myself about taking my vitamins! I know I have a TON more energy when I take them. I also know that I am not eating ALL of the proper food to give my body energy, so supplementing is essential! 
3. Rest. Sleep. Have I been getting enough sleep? For me, it means, NO MORE DILLY-DALLYING before bed! Get to bed. Get done with what I need to do, and get in the bed. This may mean avoid the next Netflix episode on "24," not beginning or completing the next craft.... whatever it is. I need to get in the bed! 

So... those are some areas that I need to work on! My goal is to achieve in life what the Proverbs 31 woman does.... so I'm going to get things back together! 

APPLYING THE WORD

Good morning! December 24th and it has been quite a whirlwind of a 2 1/2 months! Let's list what's been going on: Oct 7th - Had a C-section & invited Trinity Faith McCart into the world, packed our house up... Nov 22nd closed on our house and began moving, Nov 26th completely out of our old house & everything in new house, Nov 26th - left for vacation!!! (ahhh can u believe it, can u imagine the mess we left of boxes!), Dec 1st - returned to our new home, Dec 17-18 - traveled to Georgia for Christmas with in-laws, Monday Dec 19th - had knee surgery.... on crutches. 

Whew!!! Could we have any more life events?! I'd rather not!!! Still unpacking, obviously... lots to do for awhile... but ANYWAYS.....

Today... is more or less a journal entry. I'm in the Word this morning and thought I'd share how I'm using it for me! Maybe it will help you in your situation. Knee surgery went well, and as I believed going into it, I'm going to have a VERY speedy recovery! Despite some of the things the Doctor said... I am choosing to believe the report that GOD has for my knee! Since He is the ALMIGHTY Jehovah Rapha, God our Healer... I'm believing for a completely healed knee, as HE created it to be! 

I began digging into scripture to back what I'm believing. 

• Isaiah 46:10 - Declaring the end AND the result from the beginning!!!
• MY KNEE FUNCTIONS PERFECTLY, WITHOUT PAIN!

• Isaiah 40:31 - Those who WAIT on the Lord... they shall RUN & NOT grow weary, they shall walk & not faint or become weary.
• I WILL RUN and not grow weary. My JOINTS, muscles, bones, cartilage WILL NOT grow weary! My body operates in PERFECTION to how God created it to function! 

• Isaiah 41:3 - He pursues them & passes safely & unhindered, even by a way his feet had not trod & SO SWIFTLY that his feet do not even touch the ground!
• Now THAT is fast!!! I will not only run, but I will run FAST!! 

• Proverbs 4:12b - ...when you run, you shall not stumble. 
• I will RUN safely, preventing any injuries. Wherever my feet trod I will be safe!

• Isaiah 58:8 - Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your rightness, your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you [conducting you to peace and prosperity], and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
• MY healing springs forth SPEEDILY! The WORD says it!!! I believe it! My KNEE is healed & without pain!

Word application! How we use the Word for ANY situation! Find a scripture or 2 or 3 for WHATEVER the situation, STAND ON IT, believe it, confess it! 

Have a blessed Christmas & Happy New Year! Praise the LORD for God sending JESUS to die so that TODAY we may live! Despite our past mistakes, failures, times we've fallen short, said the wrong thing, done the wrong thing, lied, cheated, hurt someone.... JESUS CHOSE to die so that we could have life! Thank you God for the birth of Your Son & being willing to give Him up so that we could have ETERNAL LIFE!

XOXO,

AMY J. MCCART 

 

 

Homestretch!

Good morning!

Well... let me just say I think I have wrapped things up for the McCart family! Tyler Junior spent 2 days throwing up, then it went to Tyler Sr, then me. After throwing up a lot last night, I woke up this morning feeling a bit weak, but for the most part better! The sad part has been to pump and dump! Breastmilk down the sink, such a sad sight. At least I have a good supply in the freezer and Trin can stay healthy and whole.

Just wanted to give ya'll a heads up! Excited that my family is back. I call us the HEALED in Jesus Name!!!

Have a blessed day! I'll catch up with you soon! :)

#236 - Above All Else

Good morning! :) SO.... let me put out a preface. I read the devotion from Friday on my mobile phone over the weekend. I noticed some obvious spelling errors, that almost made me laugh... (hear & here... and there was one other that I caught). Anyways, thank you in advance for grace! :) With kids, sometimes all the time I have is to read my Bible, have my own quiet time with the Lord, and write a devotion. It's a jam-packed time that doesn't always allow me to proof-read before posting when someone is yelling from there bed, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" And before he tries crawling out, I need to go get him and get his day started. So, THANK YOU for your grace in the occasional spelling or grammar errors. Sometimes I go back, read, catch & correct them... but sometimes I do not. Well... with all that said, let's go ahead and jump into the Word this morning. :)

Proverbs 15:14a - The mind of him who has understanding seeks knowledge and inquires after and craves it... 

Proverbs 31:15a - She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household...

Isn't it great to hear from the Lord? When you ask & He gives you direction. Not just general direction, but direction very specific to you and your situation. Direction that encompasses the details of your life. How to accomplish what needs to be done with a strenuous work schedule or with kids running around (feeding them, changing diapers, feeding them again, etc, etc). Isn't it awesome that we have a Voice that not only is alive today, but who actually will speak to us & direct us. He looks down and sees what we may not see. He sees the outcome before we are even obedient to His direction.

This morning, this is part of what He told me,

Continue in this priority with Me. This time should be above all else. I have the answers, the solutions to the questions you have not even asked yet.  

"This priority with Me." As I have had a 6 week or so break from writing devotions, I've really enjoyed my mornings and getting into a routine with my newborn. Trinity has been a definite blessing from the start. Although, I knew it was important to maintain my morning quiet time with the Lord. Sometimes it morning passed, and it was my "early afternoon" quiet time, but nonetheless, it was time receiving direction from my Maker.

"Above All Else." The Holy Spirit reminded me this morning, that above ALL other priorities, above everything else that "I" think is important, my time with Him is the MOST important. I may not have nailed down the status that the Proverbs 31 woman has, in rising "while it is yet night" and getting spiritual food, but my continual goal is to get DAILY spiritual food for myself and my household. "Above All Else." Gaining this spiritual food is ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS, it is the MOST important task of the day. It is the FIRST "big event" of the day, as my husband would say. This time allows us the opportunity to get direction.

I remember a time in my life when I did not spend daily time with Him. I remember the feeling of chaos that accompanied me throughout the day. I remember the feeling of "not having enough time" to do it all. I remember the feeling of stress that followed me. I was making decisions and acting on my OWN knowledge and abilities, I was not relying on the wisdom & direction from the Holy Spirit. As I compare that time in my life with my current life, I can definitely say life is much more peaceful now.

Two people come to mind who have children & many responsibilities. As I think of the last conversations I've had with them, I remember the feelings that permeated from the one mom... just talking with her I could hear the stress & chaos in her voice. From previous conversations, I knew that in the process of having children, her time with the Lord had been pushed to the back burner, and it was obvious. Life seemed to be filled with chaos & stress, disharmony & lacking unity. The other mom that comes to mind, has an equally full schedule with many responsibilities, actually probably more responsibilities, though with I speak with her on the phone, peace rings through the receiver. Peace. If I have been questioning something in my own life, just talking to her and hearing her voice brings a peace that is indescribable. I KNOW that she spends daily time with her Father. I know that she has a "prayer closet" that sometimes she wakes up to visit in the middle of the night. I know that her time with the Lord comes Above All Else. It is obvious by her life. Her life is still definitely full, but a life of peace & joy. A life filled with DIVINE direction from her Maker.

Above all else, that is how I want others to speak of me. I want my Maker to shine through when others speak with me. Above all else, I want Jesus to be who people see when they see me. Above all else, when I make decisions about my day, my family & my life, I want it to be decisions directed by the Holy Spirit, not merely thought up on my own. Above all else, I want the peace of God to shine through my life & my home. I want people drawn towards me because they feel the peace of God when they are around me.

Above all else. What is the priority that shines through your life? What is "Above All Else?" Is it obvious to others? Is it your job? Your family? Your business? Soccer practice? Basketball? Swim team? Crafts? Working out, exercising? Or... is it your God? Is it your time with the Lord? Above all else. What is "above all else" in your life?

#235 - Don't Die on the Vine!

Good morning!
Slow but sure... I'm coming back! An update? Trinity is doing great! We are working on getting into a routine with her. She has been sleeping very well through the night, which is a blessing! Anywhere from 6-11 hours through the night. Praise the Lord!! The house? Well... as most of you know, we have been building a house. The original "closing date" was October 21st.... well, we still have not closed. At this point, I've decided not to get frustrated despite the delays. My new mindset? We will be in the house SOMETIME!

Well... let's jump into the Word for today! :)

Proverbs 11:2 - When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and ^[a]virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Wow! This morning as I began reading Proverbs 11... I barely got to verse 8, as each verse just jumped off the page at me! Verse 2, verse 3, verse 5.... it was as if I had never read Proverbs chapter 11 before! But we all know, through this monthly journey of Proverbs & the Proverbs 31 woman.... we HAVE read Proverbs 11 before! Many times!

I can relate to Proverbs 11:2... and unfortunately, have personal experiences that ring in my mind when I think back over the years. Swelling & Pride. Firsthand, I can relate to the whole cycle that Proverbs 11:2 is talking about! Swelling & pride, leading to emptiness & shame, then leading to what for me has been painful pruning & chiseling, but now coming out on the other side with soundness. A cycle somewhat unavoidable if one wants to bear great fruit. I'll share a personal story shortly, but as I was meditating on this verse, this is what the Holy Spirit had to say to me about it:

Being pruned IS part of the process. For every great tree, bearing great fruit, pruning is necessary. A time is involved where cutting back may cause a season of no fruit, BUT because of the pruning GREATER harvests are to come. As long as you are willing to grow through the process of pruning, as long as you are not willing to give up, to throw in the towel, to lose home & lose your dream - as long as you are willing for the pruning to lead to the harvest - you will experience the joy of completion. The joy of fullness! The joy of expectations being fulfilled. Will you come out strong after the pruning takes place? Don't die on the vine.

I read briefly how this actually takes place with the growth of grape vines. "Pruning is simply getting the plant or in this case grape vine growth to encourage more growth. Grapes will not appear on your grape vine for at least a few years, in the meantime you will need to maintain and care for your vines and this is done through careful pruning. How you prune your grape vines will have a massive effect on the sort of harvest that you will yield." 


OK... take off your robes & put down your stones for a minute.... I'm going to share ONE of the ways I've personally had to change in this area. Back 8-9 years ago after Tyler & I started our own business, with good intentions, I remember speaking to a group of people saying if they didn't do "________" they were "saps." I remember saying that everyone should be able to grow their numbers and business to a certain level within a certain period of time. I know, horrible, huh? What kind of terrible person would be so cold? I was fiery and excited, I spoke with passion & believed what I was saying. I was just overly excited. I look back on that time and season, and I now would love to apologize to anyone who may have been in hearing distance. My zeal most likely hurt feelings and was based in a degree of pride versus humility. 


Shortly after that time, the pruning process in me began. If you are the one being pruned, is it fun? I would answer that with a HEARTY NO! :) But, has the process been good? Absolutely. Some of the things I have gained from the pruning include; feeling compassion for others, seeing where others are coming from, being able to truly empathize, learning how to allow GOD to be in control instead of "my ability" to do or accomplish through my own efforts, not judging (I'm still learning this!), allowing people to grow at their pace versus my pace for them.... and the list goes on! 


As I read about the Proverbs 31 woman, I read in verse 10 how she is a capable, intelligent & virtuous woman. I see her having encompassed compassion, having most likely traveled through a pruning season coming out on the other side bearing much fruit. Eyes full of compassion. A heart that sees where you are and where you have been. Ears that listen & when you stop talking, she allows the silence to penetrate so you will continue talking.... ears just listening, as if they are saying "Go on. Tell me more. Don't stop there. I want to hear what YOU have to say. Tell me your story. Share your pain, I will be here and won't judge." The Proverbs 31 woman encompasses trust. Not only does her husband trust in her (Proverbs 31, verse 11), but those she knows trust her too. 


Pruning WILL produce a harvest for you. Will you, can you be patient even in the season where the harvest is not coming in? Will you allow the pruning to produce a growth in you and around you that will bring completion? It will encompass what you are called to do and be. As the Holy Spirit reminded me, I'll leave you with this too.... Don't Die on the Vine. God is not through with you yet. Enjoy the growth. Enjoy what you are learning and allow the pruning to take place. Proper pruning produces extraordinary crops! Don't Die on the Vine, allow yourself also to be pruned! 


Have you experienced a season of pruning? Do you have a harvest you'd like to share? I'd love to hear your story!

Update: Overwhelming Blessings

Good morning!

As I write this it is 9:13 a.m. on Monday. I am sitting here thinking about everything that is going on in our lives and just overwhelmed by the blessings of the Lord! The scripture that continues to ring in our home is Proverbs 10:22, The blessings of the Lord, IT maketh rich and he adds NO sorrow to it. The blessings of the Lord are truly reigning in our home! Let me just share what is going on!

Blessing #1 - Trinity Faith McCart is 10 days old today..... and guess what??? She went to bed at 11:00 last night and is STILL sleeping!!!! WOW! UH-MAZING! Being our second time around with a child.... we are doing things a lot earlier that worked with Tyler Junior. For example... last night, we gave her a 3 1/2 ounce bottle (around 9:15) so we could gage how much she was getting before bed, and so we knew she had a full tummy.... not to mention, she did nurse a 3 times before we officially went to bed at 11:00. WOW! It worked! That means mommy & daddy got a FULL night sleep! Praise the Lord!!!

Blessing #2 - I am a milk machine! It's a bit overwhelming.... I have over 100 ounces of milk already in my freezer for Trinity! WOW! And it keeps on coming! For sure an "overflowing abundance!" I think my freezer is more full right now with milk than it ever was with Tyler Junior and we've only officially had Trin home for a week!

Blessing #3 - My parents were here for 5 days helping out!!! WOW! What a blessing they were to us!! Since I did end up having a C-section, it was extremely helpful having them here! My mom cooked UH-MAZING meals for us the whole time.... AND both my mom & dad cleaned our house pretty much from top to bottom while they were here!!! WOW! Tubs, showers, toilet, baseboards, mirrors, dusting, vacuuming, laundry, hardwood floors, tightened loose tables... and the list goes on! Some things I had not done in a LONG time!!! And... my mom woke up with Trinity and brought her in to me so I could nurse her at night. WOW! Thank you Mom & Dad!!! A true blessing of the Lord!! Tyler Junior, Trinity, Timothy & Taylor will really appreciate the standard my parents set! I'm sure I will do the same thing when they are older and married and beginning their family!

Blessing #4 - We are MOVING into a NEW house THIS MONTH!!!! We have been building a house.... it's bigger than the house we are currently leasing AND our monthly expenses are even going to go down SIGNIFICANTLY! Brand new! We walked through it this weekend... the carpet is in, the wood floors are down, it's painted, the granite counter tops are in, the fence in the backyard is up & looks awesome... we are scheduled for a walk-through on Friday & probably closing and moving before the end of the month! It's so fun to see things get done!

Blessing #5 - We have continually been blessed from Tyler's parents with things for the house, Tyler Jr & Trinity! What an amazing blessing! Things we didn't expect or even think about! Thank you Dwight & Jeannine!! Praise the Lord!!!

Blessing #6 - My sister, Angie & her family are coming to visit this weekend to help us pack!!! :) I'm so excited to see my sister!!! What a blessing! It will be a quick trip, but how awesome that they are coming to help us!! AND I get to spend fun time with my sister!! I'm SOOOO excited!!

Blessing #7 - My husband has been an awesome help! He's been great with Tyler Junior, playing with him, rough-housing and making him feel special. I think that has helped a lot with Tyler Jr adjusting well to having a sister in the house... and not acting up. :) What a blessing! Not to mention all the diapers he's changed!! Thank you "Daddy!"

Blessing #8 - Awesome friends! We have so many awesome friends... and family members who have been willing to help on different levels! Watching Tyler Junior, providing a meal (thanks Jilly & Doug!), gifts for Trin... and the list goes on! I feel so blessed!!!

Thank you Lord!!! I could think of more.... but that is just a start to the extreme blessings! Truly, the blessing of the Lord IT maketh rich and he adds no toil with it! Thank you Lord!!!!

xoxo,
Amy

Trinity is Here!

Trinity has arrived! Just wanted to share some pictures with you! :)

Trinity Faith McCart

Born: Friday, October 7th, 2011

Time: 12:11 p.m.

Weight: 8 pounds, 9 ounces

Length: 21 1/2 inches